Quick disconnect lamp socket



`une 14, 1955 w. LAWSON QUICK DISCONNECT LAMP SOCKET Filed Dec. 11, 1953 FIGZ FIGLI.

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FIGLEB.`

FIGA.

Quick nisCoNNnor LAR/m soenna William L Lawson, Forest Hills, N. Y., assigner to Whitehouse Products, lne., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 11, 1953, Serial No. 397,715

12 Claims. (Cl. 339-45) My present invention relates to lamp sockets and more particularly to lamp sockets of the type suitable for receiving a lamp provided with a bayonet type base adapted for quick disconnect mounting in the socket.

Various sockets have been provided heretofore for use with lamps having bayonet type bases. Such lamp bases are, in place of threads or the like, provided with outwardly or laterally extending pins which, on insertion of the lamp into the socket, become locked therein on being rotated to retain the lamp. The lamps attain a relatively high temperature when in use and while they may be readily and quickly mounted in the sockets provided, the high temperature of the lamps impedes their ready removal from those sockets which require that the lamp itself be grasped in order to unlock the pins mounted on its base from the locking mechanism of the socket. This is especially signicant in the case of photoash lamps which become exceedingly hot when flashed since it is often desired to remove quickly a tired photoflash lamp in order that a fresh one may be inserted in its place.

It is, of course, essential, that, in addition to the quick disconnect features set forth, such sockets are constructed to insure a good contact between the terminals provided on the lamp base and those provided in the socket. This may be readily appreciated when it is understood that the flashing of the photoflash lamp must be so synchronized with the camera shutter with which it is operated, that the proper distribution of light occurs during an accurately determined time interval which may be of exceedingly short duration.

To insure good electrical contact and at the same time provide a locking arrangement which permits the lamp to be quickly disconnected from the socket, various structures involving springs and the like have been provided. However, those structures with which I am familiar present a serious problem when operated in that the spent, hot lamp is forcibly ejected from the socket. In such arrangements the ejected lamp follows an uncertain path which may vary widely from time to time, rendering control of the hot lamp extremely difhcult. Often, this results in the hot lamp becoming lodged in an unsuitable lol cation as Well as shattering of the lamp bulb and a consequent scattering of glass.

it is, therefore, a principal object of my invention to provide a socket especially well suited for use with photoflash lamps which, while being of relatively simple construction, insures positive contact between its terminals and the terminals of the lamp base and at the same time provides an improved quick disconnect secure engagement of the lamp by the socket.

Another object is the provision of such a socket in which a lamp is held in a secure but quick disconnect manner so that the lamp may be readily and quickly freed from the socket so as to insure its being deposited in a desired location.

Bayonet type lamp bases are usually of tubular construction and are provided with two locking pins which are oppositely disposed and extend outwardly from the 2,710,948 Patented June 14, 1955 sides of the base. The lamp envelope seats in one end of the base and is cemented in place. The other end of the base is closed by a central terminal member and an insulative mem-ber which serves to secure the central terminal member to the base. The tubular portion of the base and the outwardly extending locking pins are electrically continuous and all or any part thereof may form the other or outer lamp terminal member.

To receive such a lamp and base arrangement I provide a socket which is preferably of tubular construction having an outer shell member in which a snugly fitting sleeve-like generally tubular member is slidably mounted. An insulative connector carries an inner central terminal member and is fixed to aud may close one end of the sleeve-like member. Coacting slots are formed in the outer shell and in the inner sleeve-like member to receive the lamp locking pins. The inner sleeve-like member is biased by a spring so as to lock the pins in place. Axial movement of the sleeve-like member in one direction compresses the spring and frees the lamp pins and the lamp, because of the shape of the slots formed in the socket outer shell, is free to slide out of the socket under the force of gravity when the socket is inverted. Tabs or other suitable members fixed 'to the inner sleeve-like member extend through elongated slots formed in the outer shell member and aligned therewith. Movement of the tabs is transmitted to the sleeve-like member and serves as a means for retracting the sleve-like member when it is desired to free a lamp from the socket.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description and the drawings in which:

Figure l is an elevational view of a preferred socket constructed in accordance with my invention and with a lamp mounted therein;

Figure 2 is a vertical generally sectional View thereof;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken through the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, lamp 10 is shown in Figure l mounted in socket 11 which in the present instance includes a threaded or Edison type base 12. Lamp 10 has the usual bayonet type base 13 with a pair of locking pins 141, 15 extending laterally outwar from opposite sides thereof.

Socket 11 comprises a generally tubular outer shell member 16 the lower end of which is ared outwardly forming a skirt portion 16a. The rim of skirt portion 16a is turned inwardly to engage a complementarily outwardly flared rim portion of threaded base 12. A pair of diametrically oppositely disposed slots 17 is formed in outer shell mmeber 16. Each of the slots 17 is open at its upper end and is somewhat L. shaped in outline. The lower portion of each of the slots i7 is tapered or inclined so as to form an inclined slideway 13 the function of which will be fully pointed out hereinbelow.

Slidably mounted in outer shell member 16 and coaxial therewith is a tubular sleeve-like inner member 19 which is preferably Cupshaped, as shown, with a central aperture 20 formed in the base thereof. Supported on the radially inward extending base portion of sleeve-like inner member 19 and extending over aperture Ztl is an insulative support member 21 which may be secured in place by rivets or the like, as shown in Figure 2. lnsuiative member 21 serves to support central socket terminal member 22 and rigidly interconnect the same with inner sleeve member 19. A pair of tabs or actuating members 23 are ixed with inner member 19 and extend outwardly therefrom through oppositely disposed slots 24 formed in outer shell member 16. Slots 24 permit free movement of actuating members 23 in one-direction, vertically, as shown in the drawings, while impeding movement in other directions. Since actuating members 23 are rigidly connected to inner member 19, movement of inner member 19 in any but the vertical direction is effectively prevented. Actuating members 25 are conveniently fastened to the underside of the base portion of inner member 19 by the same rivets which serve as the fastening means for insulative support member 21. To avoid the necessity of handling the actuating members 23 individually, I may utilize a one-piece member having an arcuate central portion to avoid Contact with terminai 22 and having end portions which extend through slots 24 and function as actuating members 23.

Diametrically oppositely disposed slots 25 are formed in sleeve-like inner member 19 and each is aligned with one of the slots 17 formed in outer member 16. Each of the slots 25 opens upwardly and, as shown, is stepped so as to form a locking shoulder 26 which coacts with one of the inclined slideways 18 to lock one of the pins 14, 15. Resilient biasing means is provided which biases and serves to urge upwardly the interconnected assembly which includes inner member 19 and the various elements connected thereto such as insulative member 21 and actuating members 23. Thus, when lamp 10 is inserted into socket 11, locking pins 14, 15 are guided into the aligned openings of slots 17 and 25. When locking pins 14, 15 abut against the upper surfaces of shoulders 26, each of which being aligned with the vertical portion of one of the slots 17, locking shoulders 26 are urged downwardly carrying inner member 19 and the parts connected Vthereto down and compressing the resilient biasing means. ln the present instance, the resilient biasing means is preferably in the form of an at least partially coiled resilient conductive lead member 27 having one end portion thereof conductively connected to central socket terminal member 22 and the other end portion thereof conductively connected to base terminal member 28 which in turn is connected to but insulated from the threaded portion of base 12. As locking shoulders 26 are moved downwardly by the continued movement of lamp 10, the lower and laterally disposed portions of slots 17 become unblocked and with a small rotational movement of lamp 10, locking pins 14, 15 follow slideways 18 and are seated therein to one side of the corresponding one of locking shoulders 26. As shown, lamp 10 is rotated counterclockwise when seated in socket 11. However, it is to be understood that the various slots may be arranged so that lamp 10 is seated with a clockwise movement. Locking shoulders 26 are now free to rise and resilient conductive lead member 27 having been compressed, now expands urging insulative member 21 and inner member 19 upwardly. Upward movement of inner member 19 brings locking shoulders 26 back into position to block the lower portion of slots 17 and thus lock lamp 10 in place by preventing escape of locking pins 14, 15.

It should be noted that the movable parts are so dimensioned with respect to the conventional dimensions of a bayonet type base to insure positive engagement and a good electrical contact between central socket terminal member 22 and the corresponding terminal member of the lamp base. Thus, with lamp 10 inserted in socket 11, locking shoulders 26 preferably extend laterally only far enough to block the escape of pins 14 from the inclined portions of slots 17. Central socket terminal member 22 carried upwardly on expansion of resilient conductive lead member 27 abuts against the corresponding terminal member on the base of bulb 10, as shown most clearly in Figure 2, and under the inuence of resilient member 27 urges lamp 10 upwardly until further upward movement thereof is blocked by locking shoulders 26. In this way, the force of resilient member 27 serves to bias central socket terminal member 22 against the lamp base terminal member. As most clearly shown in Figure 3, in order to provide additional strength and to insure further against accidental escape of pins 14, 15, the portions of outer shell member 16 forming inclined slideways 18 are titl preferably turned radially inward so that each extends in one of the slots 25 formed in inner member 19. Thus, the portions of slideways 13` which coact with locking shoulders 26 to lock pins 14, 15 have substantially the same inner diameter as inner member 19.

To free lamp 10 it is only necessary to push tabs or actuating members 23, which are adapted to facilitate engagement of the same by the lingers of an operator, downward, thereby carrying inner member 19 and the elements connected thereto downward and compressing resilient conductive lead member 27. Locking shoulders 26 also are carried downward and when socket 11 is inverted, lamp 10 is free to fall from socket 11 under the force of gravity. This is facilitated by inclined slideways 18 and the only force necessary to free lamp 10 is that of gravity which facilitates disposition of an expended lamp in any desired location; the aforementioned resilient biasing means being maintained compressed as actuating members 23 are held in their downward position and thereby kept out of action during removal of lamp 10.

While I have shown and described my invention in the form of an adapter socket by means of which lamps with bayonet type bases may be mounted for operation with devices having a threaded type socket, I may also construct socket 1.1 as a part of a housing for batteries or other suitable source of electromotive force and omit base 12. In that event, member 27 may be connected to a suitable terminal member provided in place of base terminal member 23.

The terms and expressions which l have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and l have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

What l claim is:

l. A quick disconnect socket for receiving a bayonet type lamp base having outwardly extending locking pins, comprising an outer tubular shell member having slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins. an inner tubular sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular shell member and havingr slots formed therein extending from the end thereof corresponding to said open end of said outer tubular shell member, the slots in said inner member being each aligned with one of said slots formed in said outer member, the surfaces defining the last mentioned slots also forming locking shoulders one for each of said slots in said inner member, actuating means connected to said inner member and extending outwardly therefrom, and resilient means urging asid inner member into position with said locking shoulders blocking a portion of each of the slots formed in said outer member removed from the open ends of the slots so as to quick releasably lock said pins therein.

2. A quick disconnect socket for receiving a bayonet type lamp base having outwardly extending locking pins, comprising an outer tubular shell member having slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins, an inner tubular sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular shell member and having slots formed therein extending from the end thereof corresponding to said open end of said outer tubular shell member, the slots in said inner member being each aligned with one of said slots formed in said outer member, the surfaces defining the last mentioned slots also forming locking shoulders one for each of said slots in said inner member, a portion of said outer tubular shell member dening each of the slots formed therein being turned radially inward and extend ing in the slots formed in said inner sleeve-like tubular member, actuating means connected to said inner member and extending outwardly therefrom, and resilient means urging said inner member into position with said locking shoulders blocking a portion of each of the slots formed in said outer member removed from the open ends of the slots and coacting with said radially inwardly turned portions of said outer tubular shell member so as to quick releasably lock said pins in said slots.

3. A quick disconnect socket for receiving a lamp having a bayonet type base with outwardly extending locking pins thereon, comprising an outer tubular shell member having outer slots formed therein extending from one end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins, the surfaces deining each of said slots including an inclined surface with the inclined surfaces of said slots being substantially equally inclined, an inner sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular shell member for encircling said base and having inner slots formed therein extending from the end thereof corresponding to said one end of said outer tubular shell member, the surfaces defining each of said inner slots also forming a locking shoulder, actuating tabs connected to said inner member and extending outwardly therefrom, and resilient means urging said inner member into position with said locking shoulders coacting with said inclined surfaces to block a portion of each of said outer slots so as to quick releasably lock said pins therein.

4. A quick disconnect socket for receiving a lamp having a bayonet type base with outwardly extending locking pins thereon, comprising an outer tubular shell member having outer slots formed therein extending from one end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins, the surfaces deiining each of said slots including an inclined surface with the inclined surfaces of said slots being substantially equally inclined, an inner sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular shell member for encircling said base and having inner slots formed therein extending from the end thereof corresponding to said one end of said outer tubular shell member, the surfaces defining each of said inner slots also forming a locking shoulder, actuating tabs connected to said inner member and extending outwardly therefrom, the portions of said outer tubular shell member forming said inclined surfaces extending radially inwardly of said outer tubular shell member and having substantially the same inner diameter as said inner sleeve-like member, and resilient means urging said inner member into position with said locking shoulders coacting with said inclined surfaces to block a portion of each of said outer slots so as to quick releasably lock said pins therein.

5. A quick disconnect socket for receiving a lamp having a bayonet type base with outwardly extending locking pins thereon, comprising an outer tubular shell member having outer slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins, the surfaces defining each of said slots including an inclined surface with the inclined surfaces of said outer slots being substantially equally inclined, an inner sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular sheil member for receiving said base therein and having inner slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof corresponding to the open end of said outer tubular shell member, the surfaces dening each of said inner slots also forming a locking shoulder for blocking movement of one of said pins out of a portion of one of said outer slots removed from the open end thereof, actuating tabs connected to said inner member and extending outwardly therefrom for retracting said inner sleeve-like member, a terminal member connected to said inner sleeve-like member remote from said open end thereof, and resilient means urging said inner sleeve-like member into position with said locking shoulders blocking said portions of the outer slots, whereby the locking pins of the base are locked in the outer slots by the locking shoulders of the inner member and freely leave the same solely under the influence of gravity when said actuating tabs retract said inner member to compress said resilient means and the socket is inverted.

6. A quick disconnect socket for receiving a lamp having a bayonet type base with outwardly extending locking pins thereon, comprising an outer tubular shell member having outer slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins, the surfaces defining each of said slots including an inclined surface with the inclined surfaces of said outer slots being substantially equally inclined, an inner sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular shell member for receiving said base therein and having inner slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof corresponding to the open end of said outer tubular shell member, the surfaces defining each of said inner slots also forming a locking shoulder for blocking movement of one of said pins out of a portion of one of said outer slots removed from the open end thereof, actuating tabs connected to said inner member and extending outwardly therefrom for retracting said inner sleeve-like member, a terminal member connected to said inner sieeve-like member remote from said open end thereof, and a conductive resilient member connected to and forming the sole conductive lead to said terminal member and urging said inner sleeve-like member into position with said locking shoulders blocking said portions of the outer slots, whereby the locking pins of the base are locked in the outer slots by the locking shoulders of the inner member and freely leave the same solely under the influence of gravity when said actuating tabs retract said inner member to compress said resilient means and the socket is inverted.

7. A quick disconnect socket for receiving a lamp having a bayonet type base with outwardly extending locking pins thereon, comprising an outer tubular shell member having outer slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins, the surfaces defining each of said slots including an inclined surface with the inclined surfaces of said outer slots being substantially equally inclined, a cupshaped inner sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular shell member for receiving said base therein and having inner slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof corresponding to the open end of said outer tubular shell member, the surfaces defining each of said inner slots also forming a locking shoulder for blocking movement of one of said pins out of a portion of one of said outer slots removed from the open end thereof, actuating tabs connected to said inner member and extending outwardly therefrom for retracting said inner member, the base of said cup-shaped inner member having an aperture formed therethrough, a termnial member insulatively connected to said inner member and extending over said aperture, and a conductive resilient member connected to and forming the sole conductive lead to said terminal member and urging said terminal member and said inner member into position with said locking shoulders blocking said portions of the outer slots, whereby the locking pins of the base are locked in the outer slots by the locking shoulders of the inner member and freely leave the same solely under the iniiuence of gravity when said actuating tabs retract said inner member to compress said resilient means and the socket is inverted.

8. A quick disconnect socket for receiving a lamp having a bayonet type base with outwardly extending locking pins thereon, comprising an outer tubular shell member having outer slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins, the surfaces delining each of said slots including an inclined surface with the inclined surfaces of said outer slots being substantially equally inclined, a cup-shaped inner sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular shell member for receiving said base therein and having inner slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof corresponding to the open end of said outer tubular shell member, the surfaces defining each of said inner slots also forming a locking shoulder for blocking movement of one of said pins out of a portion of one of said outer slots removed from the open end thereof, actuating tabs connected to said inner member and extending outwardly therefrom for retracting said inner member, elongated axially extending slots formed in said outer tubular shell member one for each of said tabs and aligned therewith, said tabs each extending in one of said axially extending slots and slidable therein, the base of said cup-shaped inner member having an aperture formed therethrough, a terminal member insulatively connected to said inner member and extending over said aperture, and a conductive resilient member forming the sole conductive lead to said terminal member and urging said terminal member and said inner member into position with said locking shoulders blocking said portions of the outer slots, whereby the locking pins of the base are locked in the outer slots by the locking shoulders of the inner member and freely leave the same solely under rthe iniluence of gravity when said actuating tabs retract said inner member to compress said resilient means and the socket is inverted.

9. A quick disconnect socket for receiving a lamp having a bayonet type base with outwardly extending locking pins thereon, comprising an outer tubular shell member having outer slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins, the surfaces defining each of said slots including an inclined surface with the inclined surfaces of said outer slots being substantially equally inclined, a cup-shaped inner sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular shell member for receiving said base therein and having inner slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof corresponding to the open end of said outer tu bular shell member, the surfaces defining each of said inner slots also forming a locking shoulder for blocking movement of one of said pins out of a portion of one of said outer slots removed from the open end thereof, the portions of said outer tubular shell member forming said inclined surfaces extending radially inwardly of said outer tubular shell member and having substantially the same inner diameter as said inner sleeve-like member with said radially inwardly extending portions each extending in one of the slots formed in said inner sleeve-like member for coaction with one of said locking shoulders, actuating tabs connected to said inner member and extending outwardly therefrom for retracting said inner member, elongated axially extending slots formed in said outer tubular shell member one for each of said tabs and aligned therewith, said tabs each extending in one of said axially extending slots and slidable therein, the base of said cup-shaped inner member having an aperture formed therethrough, a terminal member insulatively connected to said inner member and extending over said aperture, and a conductive resilient member forming the sole conductive lead to said terminal member and urging said terminal member and said inner member into position with said locking shoulders blocking said portions of the outer slots, whereby the locking pins of the base are locked in the outer slots by the locking shoulders of the inner member and freely leave the same solely Linder the inuence of gravity when said actuating tabs retract said inner member to compress said resilient means and the socket is inverted.

l0. A quick disconnect socket for receiving a lamp having a bayonet type base with outwardly extending locking pins thereon, comprising an outer tabular shell member having outer slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins, the surfaces defining each of said slots including an inclined surface with the inclined surfaces of said outer slots being substantially equally inclined, a cupshaped inner sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular shell member for receiving said base therein and having inner slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof corresponding to the open end of saidouter tubular shell member, the surfaces defining each of said inner slots also forming a locking shoulder for blocking movement of one of said pins out of a portion of one of said outer slots removed from the open end thereof, actuating tabs connected to said inner member and extending outwardly thcrefrom for retracting said inner member, elongated axially extending slots formed in said outer tubular shell member one for each of said tabs and aligned therewith, said tabs each extending through one ci said lly extending slots and beyond said outer member, the width of said slots closely conforming to the width of said tabs with the tabs slidable in the slots axially of the outer member but substantially immovable circumferentially with respect to said inner member whereby movement of said inner member is confined to the axial direction, the base of said cup-shaped inner member having an aperture formed therethrough, a terminal member insulatively connected to said inner member and extending ov-cr said aperture, and a conductive resilient member forming the sole conductive lead to said terminal member and urging said terminal member and said inner member into position with said locking shoulders blocking said portions of the outer slots, whereby the locking pins of the base are locked in the outer slots by the locking shoulders of the inner member and freely leave the same solely under the influence of gravity when said actuating tabs retract said inner member to compress said resilient means and the socket is inverted.

ll, A quick disconnect socket for receiving a lamp having a bayonet type base with outwardly extending locking pins thereon, comprising an outer tubular shell member having outer slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins, the surfaces defining each of said slots` including an inclined surface with the inclined surfaces of said outer slots being substantially equally inclined, a cup-shaped inner sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular shell member for receiving said base therein and having inner slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof corresponding to the open end of said outer tubular shell member, the surfaces defining each of said inner slots also forming a locking shoulder for blocking movement of one of said pins out of a portion of one of said outer slots removed from the open end thereof, actuating tabs connected to said inner member and extending outwardly therefrom for retracting said inner member, elongated axially extending slots formed in said outer tubular shell member one for each of said tabs and aligned therewith, said tabs each extending through one of said axially extending slots and beyond said outer member, the width of said slots closely conforming to the width of said tabs with the tabs slidable in the slots axially of the outer member but substantially immovable circumferentially with respect to said inner member whereby movement of said inner member is confined to the axial direction, the base of said cup-shaped inner member having an aperture formed therethrough, a terminal member insulatively connected to said inner member and extending over said aperture, a cup-shaped base member having a circumferential thread formed thereon and conductively joined at the open end thereof to the remaining end of said outer member, another terminal member in the base of said cup-shaped base member, and an elongated conductive resilient member connected adjacent one end thereof to said terminal member and adjacent the other end thereof to said another terminal member, said conductive resilient member forming the sole conductive lead to said terminal member and urging said terminal member and said inner member into position with said locking shoulders blocking said portions of the outer slots, whereby the locking pins of the base are locked in the outer slots by the locking shoulders of the inner member and freely leave the same solely under the influence of gravity when said actuating tabs retract said 9 inner member to compress said resilient means and the socket is inverted.

12. A quick disconnect socket for receiving a bayonet type lamp base having outwardly extending locking pins, comprising an outer tubular shell member having slots formed therein extending from an open end thereof and each aligned for receiving one of said pins, an inner tubular sleeve-like member slidable in said outer tubular shell member and having slots formed therein extending from the end thereof corresponding to said open end of said outer tubular shell member, the slots in said inner member being each aligned with one of said slots formed in said outer member, the surfaces defining the last mentioned slots also forming locking shoulders one for each of said slots in said inner member, a terminal member connected to said inner member and adapted to contact a corresponding terminal on said lamp base, resilient means urging said inner member into position with said locking shoulders blocking a portion of each of the slots formed in said outer member so as to quick releasably lock said pins therein and for biasing said terminal member into good electrical contact with said corresponding lamp base terminal, and means for moving said inner member out of said position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

